The Beginning. . .After the Beginning

Wow!
Y'all really surprised me with all the comments yesterday about my craft room . . . .and I didn't even have any pictures.

Just some of the felt I organized this afternoon.

I should remedy that today. But first. . .let me explain that after I saw Patty's beautiful studio, I went straight to work on weeding out mine. So, these pictures are not 'true' BEFORE pictures. In addition, once you see these. . .you'll understand my desperate NEED to redecorate, reorganize, and simply overhaul the entire craftroom. Please don't judge me!

Looking straight into the craftroom from the door. (The big pile is trash and items to be donated to the thrift store.)

Inside to the left of the door is this little cardboard drawer unit. The items in the floor are 'keepers' that need a new home in the room.

Here's the craftroom closet. I had already started on it when this photo was taken. You should have seen it before. . .it was BAD!!

I know it's hard to see much in this pic, but it's obvious that there's stuff all over the place. This is the window that needs a storage seat built under it (right where all that mess is.)

In the far corner is my hutch that I'd like to paint a nice, bright, vibrant color. It holds all kinds of miscellaneous miscellanea.

Here's the craft desk and the chaos that exists behind it. I like to have my supplies within reach and that's going to be the biggest challenge with my redesign.

And we're back facing the door. Unfortunately, you can't really see much of this area. I'll try to get a better picture of it later.

So that's the craft room in a nutshell. I've made a few small decisions about it.
1. The wall color will remain the same. I'm not as much a fan of this color as I was when we moved in and painted it. I'd LOVE to change it. However, the subtlety of it will work with a wide range of other colors I'd like to introduce.
2. The Mickey collection on the big bookcase will need to be moved. I want to move it into the bedroom (the Mickeys not the bookcase) since the walls in there are red and will match. But, I think Pat just wants to get rid of it entirely. That's not going to happen.

I've already made one trip to the thrift store with donations. It was a good amount of stuff.

This and two more plastic grocery bags were dumped on Goodwill this afternoon!

You should see what I kept. I realize that I don't especially NEED all of the items that I'm hoarding to make tiny jewelry components. I've got STACKS of books and papers and other ephemera that I keep for collage purposes. Right now, I'm considering making packets of these pieces to sell online or give away. Granted, that will take some time also. Perhaps that will be a project later. But first, I was wondering what y'all thought of that idea. . .let me know.

My box of tissue and wrapping paper bits is just SOME of the paper I hoard.

Before I head out, don't forget that the 7000 Bracelets for Hope Blog Hop is tomorrow.

My post is already written and scheduled . . .come back tomorrow to see what I and the other generous souls created.

Copper Dragonfly Earrings new in the shop

Do I Dare Begin?

Remember my bead soup blog party partner, Patty? Such a fabulous lady. Her gorgeous sunroom studio was featured on Studio Waterstone. It's just lovely and so very inviting. (Much like Patty herself) 

However, her fabulous craft space, makes me look upon my own craftroom with disdain at the lack of organization and decoration. I mean, I've organized. . .I've decorated. But, there's just not that creative sense of peace that you get when everything is put away so pretty in MATCHING containers and not in old copy paper boxes. 

As I swoon over the cohesion and flow of Patty's bright room, I'm actually considering that I STOP BUYING BEADS (the horror!) and start spending my money and some of my time on finally turning the craftroom into a space I can be proud of. 

I've already spent my whole morning thinking about it and have even reminded Pat about the window seat/storage unit I've always wanted him to build for me. I've got some more thinking to do on this undertaking. I've got some questions to ponder:

• Do I want to completely rearrange the entire room?
• What design theme/concept/colors will work best for me?
• How do I incorporate the bits and pieces of my own that also inhabit the space (collections, documents, filing cabinet, etc)?
• Is it possible for me to move EVERYTHING out of the space in order to start with a clean slate?
• How will I balance this project while still being productive?
• When can I start?

Oh, the possibilities. . .

Thank you Patty for the inspiration and at the same time curse you Patty for the distraction. ;) Here's hoping I can keep the resolve to transform it. Like all my tasks, I'll probably start small and work in stages. Wish me luck!

**On a side note. . ..Somehow yesterday I missed the fact that Holly at SilverRose Designs is ALSO having a giveaway. (to self: Come on Hope, pay attention!) She's offering up a beautiful necklace and earring set. They're in some of my favorite colors too!!

I apologize for the lack of pictures today. I've just got too many images of Patty's studio swimming in my head I guess.

BTW and Giveaways (oh my!)

While I REALLY don't want to be getting sick, I am feeling the aches and pains that come with it. So, I'm making an attempt to not over-exert myself. Instead, I've focused on some of the simpler tasks. . .like earring-making.

With that in mind, here are some of the items that have graced my craft desk this Bead Table Wednesday

My glitter selection to glitz up some mixed media earrings.

These are the mixed media earrings in question. At least, the front on them!

Here are the same earrings flipped over and wet with sealer (thus the dome to protect them)

The beaded earrings I almost-completed yesterday were pulled out for finishing.

With ear wires added, these nine pairs of earrings are all ready to be photographed.

The Flickr group has more Bead Table Wednesday crack for you!

Bead Table Wednesday

I'm compelled to mention that there are quite a few GIVEAWAYS going on right now.
1. This one comes first since it has the shortest time left on it. . .Lorelei is just giving away four Jade Scott pendants. The catch? You only have 24 hours in which to enter. Go to Lorelei's Blog NOW for a chance to win.
2. Barbe Saint John is having an Industrial Chic giveaway. I LOVE that line from Michael's. If you want to win some of their charms and a booklet, this is your opportunity!
3. Courtney at Beads by Breul is giving away a nice collection of beads. It's mostly seed beads, but if that's your thing; you should totally take a shot at winning.

Lastly, there's something new in the shop!

Night Blooms Bracelet

Off to do as much work/resting as I can at one time. Let's see how that goes!

Pushing Through

I mentioned yesterday that I got some crafty work done over the weekend. . .but I failed to snap a photo of it to show you. So, here's a sneak peek at some of the beady bliss in which I enveloped myself.

I'm trying to focus on getting some tasks accomplished today, so this will be a fairly short post (especially since I posted so late yesterday. . . not much has happened since then.)

Basically, I listed a new necklace.

The Cat's Meow Necklace

I've also been working on getting some more earrings made. Earrings tend to be my go-to project when I'm working in short bursts like I am today.

It's been a while since I've shared some links, so let me do that and be out of your hair.
Crafty Links 
(Topic: Purse/Bag . . .these are items that you could keep in your purse or how to make a purse/bag) Unfortunately, most of these are sewing centered, so they're on my list of items I wish I could make.

• Sew a coffee cozy
• Here's another coffee cup cozy you can make
• Sew a passport cover 
• Drawstring bag
• Coupon clutch 

I think I've gone over the time limit I'd given myself to write this. . back to the grind.

A Bit Distracted

It was a mixed bag of a weekend.
There was a little of this

And some of that.

Plus there was some crafty time mixed in with it all.

As a side note, we had a GREAT time out on the boat, but the lagoon where we sailed was so eerily foggy that I felt like I was in a horror movie. It was awesome and scary at the same time. My imagination was all over the place (and by imagination, I mean the neurotic, zombie fearing part of my brain.) You can see some of the fog in the picture below . . .and this was when it had cleared up!

You probably noticed that my blogging tapered off a little bit last week. As such, I just want to show you the new items in the shop

Copper Flowers Necklace

Red Link Earrings

And that this necklace went on sale.

Button Cluster Necklace - 20% OFF!!

I also stumbled upon a few GIVEAWAYS!
1. There's a bead giveaway over at BeadWorkByH's Blog. All you have to do is let her know your favorite item in her shop to be entered.
2. The ever-fabulous Lori Anderson at Pretty Things is giving away a few beads and findings of her own. She's got a few awesome prize packs for some lucky winners. Leave a comment and share the giveaway info for chances to win.

While it's still Menu Plan Monday, let me go ahead and share my meal plan with you. Check out some of the others as well at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

MONDAY
B:Bagels
L: Hot Dogs
D: Cheesy ham and broccoli casserole

TUESDAY
B: Smoothies
L: Bean burritos
D: Hope meeting, Pat on own

WEDNESDAY
B: Cereal
L: Ham Sandwiches
D: Beer Chicken, peas, mashed potatoes

THURSDAY
B: Pancakes
L: Chicken Salad
D: Chili with rice

FRIDAY
B: Breakfast parfaits
L: Soup and grilled cheese
D: OUT - Margarita Friday

SATURDAY
B: Omelets
L: Bagel pizzas
D:Pat gig, hope on own

SUNDAY
B: Muffins
L: Leftovers
D: Pot roast with potatoes, carrots, and rice

That's all for tonight folks. Perhaps I'll be a bit more inspiring tomorrow!

Bead Table Blahs

While I wait for the cleaning fairies I ordered, the chore list still isn't completing itself. sigh. However, I DID get myself up and out of bed before 8am today!!
Of course I was only up because I had to be at a breakfast meeting. Then before I even really got myself settled back in at home, I was out the door to have lunch with a friend. I'm not complaining, but by the time I got home, I was POOPED!

It was no wonder that I felt a drain on my creative muscles.
But I went ahead and tried to craft.
I pulled out a few different beads and focals, knowing that I needed to have a project on my desk (and not just a mess) to photograph for Bead Table Wednesday. I put the beads back. They weren't speaking to me. I cleaned off my desk with the thought that a clean desk would free up the clutter in my mind. It didn't help. I pulled out a notebook of sketches and ideas and then polled Twitter and Facebook as to how my friends get over the Creative FUNK.

I got some really great feedback (and I'll get to that in a little bit.) However, I did find some inspiration. Before long, I had this little group of beads and buttons on the craft desk.

I can't show you what I made with those beads, because the big button is from the Button Swap and it's still not the reveal day (come back April 21st for that!)

Once I completed that spark, I realized there were still a few items on my beading to do list. So, I completed one of them. . . for my mom.
She has these palm tree necklaces that we had used as favors for a party, and she wanted a few of them made into bracelets. So, I set to work.

That's really all I goat accomplished on this Bead Table Wednesday. . .WHAT? I had a busy morning! But if you want to see what's on other beaders' craft desks, go to the BTW Flickr Group.

Bead Table Wednesday

I did get something else accomplished . . .another pair of earrings are in the shop.

Classic Beauty Earrings

So. . .I'd like to know what YOU do to get over the Creative Funk. Seriously!
What helps you get the ol' creative juices flowing? 
Tell me here, on Facebook (personal or fan page), or on Twitter. I'd love to compile a list to have at the ready the next time the funk hits me.

It's Something

It's about time I let you know how my weekly chore list thing is going. It's been a few weeks with the list after all. In all honesty, it's going okay. The house surely isn't a disaster, but I'm just not as continuously motivated. Of course, I think the big problem is my sleep schedule. It's OFF! I can't seem to sleep at night and then when I get to sleep, I can't get up at a reasonable hour. I'm working on it. Blah!

While I'm not getting much marked off the chore list, I did work my way down another to do list: the beading one!
I threw together a quick necklace to go with an outfit that just needed a necklace.

Mostly, I just wanted to play around with some of my tools and supplies.

It actually looked a lot better with the outfit I wore the other day than it did with this shirt!

In addition, I started and finished my bracelet for the 7000 Beads of Hope Blog Hop. Here's a sneaky peek.

I also FINALLY started on my project for the Button Swap. Again, here's a quick peek at what I've got so far.

This bracelet ended up in the shop.

Tropical Sunrise Bracelet

That's about it for today. It's not much. . .but it's something!

Rambling On. . .

I thought that by posting my weekend review I would have less rambling TODAY. It doesn't look like that'll be the case. Aw well, when you're a rambler like me there's little that can be done to change it.

Jumping right in.
Yesterday I mentioned my Friday trip to Blue Girl Beading Co. I decided to show you some of the treasures I obtained.

And, my order from GaeaExchange came in the mail!

Aren't they divine!

Of course, I've already just about filled up that new storage container.

MUST STOP BEAD SHOPPING!
Who am I kidding?

How about some free stuff? Here's a few GIVEAWAYS I found over the weekend.
1. Lorelei reviewed three books on her site and is giving them each away. Just leave her a comment and let her know which one you'd like. But HURRY, she's drawing names tomorrow!!
2. Handmadeology is giving away one of everything in their etsy shop. That's $105 worth of goodness. All you have to do is leave a comment and/or help promote this giveaway.

Now for something that's a bit more serious.
Some months ago, I read about the Global Genes Project's 7000 Bracelets for Hope. Of course, I misunderstood the whole thing and didn't sign up. Dur! Lori Anderson of Pretty Things (and Bead Soup Blog Hop famedom) did not misunderstand. Instead, she has taken it upon herself to organize a blog hop for the cause. I've signed up to make a denim/blue jean inspired bracelet and be included in the blog hop on April 16th. You should TOO! Sign-ups end tomorrow!

New Necklace. . .

Remnants of the Past Necklace

Lastly, Pat and I have a busy week coming up, but I didn't let that deter me from making a meal plan on this Menu Plan Monday. It's nothing fancy. . . For other, options make sure to check out some of the rest of the folks' plans over at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

MONDAY
B: Cereal
L: Soup and grilled cheese
D: Grilled chicken, green beans, rice mix

TUESDAY
B: eggs, bacon, toast
L: turkey sandwiches
D: Tacos

WEDNESDAY
B: Breakfast parfaits
L: Mac-n-cheese with ham
D: Cheesy ham and broccoli casserole

THURSDAY
B: Bagels
L: Chicken salad
D: Hope out, Pat on own

FRIDAY

B: Muffins
L: Turkey quesidillas
D: Pat gig, Hope on own

SATURDAY

B: Omelets
L: Hot dogs
D: Pat gig, Hope on own

SUNDAY
B: Pancakes
L: Tuna noodles
D: Crockpot beer chicken, peas, mashed potatoes

I think I've rambled enough. . .Happy Monday!